BLOG – Easter Art Explained – The Many-Splendored Wisdom of God

On Easter Sunday, we party.

Why? Because Easter is the greatest day in history. All of history, its purpose and its climax are reveled in Jesus’ Resurrection. Death does not win. History is going somewhere. Pain and brokenness are not final. Sin is forgiven. Jesus is Lord.

Every Easter we do an art project together as a church to learn with our hands what Andrew is trying to preach with his words – that God makes beauty from ashes, artwork from shattered hearts, glory from dust. So, the art must use RECLAIMED and REDEEMED materials that we transform into something extraordinarily beautiful. As we do this, we find that often the very brokenness of the thing makes it more beautiful and/or perfectly fit for art work. This reminds us that our brokenness will not just be healed back to original, it will be the very things that make us useful in God’s hands. Rather than brokenness or imperfection inhibiting God’s ability to use us, they actually augment our usefulness. That’s why the Apostle Paul can write, “Here’s a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I’m proof—Public Sinner Number One—of someone who could never have made it apart from sheer mercy. And now he shows me off—evidence of his endless patience—to those who are right on the edge of trusting him forever” (1 Tim 1:15-16). Nearly 1900 years later another man whose life had been transformed by the teachings of Jesus wrote it this way, “If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That feeling of uselessness and self pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them” (9th Step Promises of AA).

This year we used hundreds and hundreds of broken crayons to make extraordinary art. They were perfect for something colorful or “multi-splendored” as the Bible likes to say. In all our diversity, we’re a lot like these different colors. Moreover, each of us is broken in some way, some of us discarded, but Jesus does not throw us away, destroy us, or give up on us, instead he starts to transform us. In a creativity and artistry beyond all human aesthetic dreams, God crafts something that is more glorious than it could have been if it was never broken. That is why Ephesians 3:10 describes the church as God’s public, colorful art exposition. Paul says, “God’s intent was that now, through the church, the manifold, many-splendored, multi-faceted wisdom of God should be displayed.”

It may not feel like it now, but God is in the process of taking all your hurts and flaws, and using them to make you into a masterpiece. God is preparing the shards of your broken heart for resurrection of love and purpose. Nothing in your past will be wasted, even the worst parts will yield their usefulness in God’s masterful hands.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Tim 1:17)

Applications are being accepted for the Percy and Flossie Barber Memorial Scholarship. To recognize the importance of Oakland Presbyterian Church and Cleveland community in the lives of Percy and Flossie Barber, this annual scholarship is awarded to a deserving graduating high school senior to provide assistance with college expenses. The application can be downloaded from oaklandpresbyterianchurch.org or you can pick up a copy from the church office. All applications are due to the church office by April 15, 2018.For more information or to download an application visit: www.oaklandpresbyterianchurch.org/barber-scholarship/...

Barber Scholarship

April 15, 2018, 12:00pm - April 15, 2018, 1:00pm

Applications are being accepted for the Percy and Flossie Barber Memorial Scholarship. To recognize the importance of Oakland Presbyterian Church and Cleveland community in the lives of Percy and Flossie Barber, this annual scholarship is awarded to a deserving graduating high school senior to provide assistance with college expenses. The application can be downloaded from oaklandpresbyterianchurch.org or you can pick up a copy from the church office. All applications are due to the church office by April 15, 2018.
For more information or to download an application visit: www.oaklandpresbyterianchurch.org/barber-scholarship/

What could be better on a cold night than a hot bowl of chicken pastry? Not much if you ask us!!!Join us on Wednesday, March 21 at 6:30 pm for Fellowship Supper. The cost is $5.00 per person or $12 a family. Sign up sheets will be available during service and in the Fellowship Hall, or you can email secretary@oaklandpresbyterianchurch.org to rsvp and reserve your seat at the table.We hope to see you there!! ...

Fellowship Supper

March 21, 2018, 6:30pm - March 21, 2018, 8:30pm

What could be better on a cold night than a hot bowl of chicken pastry? Not much if you ask us!!!
Join us on Wednesday, March 21 at 6:30 pm for Fellowship Supper. The cost is $5.00 per person or $12 a family. Sign up sheets will be available during service and in the Fellowship Hall, or you can email secretary@oaklandpresbyterianchurch.org to rsvp and reserve your seat at the table.
We hope to see you there!!